Life in the Cracks
       
  Philippians 4:10-12:
   Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 1 Timothy 6:7-9 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

  Last October, the women of this church attended a daylong seminar held in the fellowship hall. We had many activities. One was a "Ten Minute Outdoor Retreat." We were instructed to use our senses, while being guided by the Holy Spirit, to search for and explore one pleasing and attractive item of nature. After contemplation and exploration, we were to answer nine questions. My retreat proved that even if you're looking down, God can speak to you, for it resulted in my taking notice of "Life in the Cracks."

  I seemed drawn to the life in the cracks. The cracks in the sidewalk and in the parking lot were full of it! Of course there was also a lot of debris collected in the cracks - cigarette butts, little pieces of cast off paper and plastic, homeless rocks and fine bits of soil settled out of runoff. But there were also two dandelions! Their bright yellow blooms caught my eye on such a gray October day. They looked so out of place! In such an inhospitable space! Little green and yellow tenacious survivors! Life does find a way!

  But upon further reflection, I observed that each flower really had everything it needed to survive - a place, light, water, and food. Then the still small voice started. We too have been planted in a community, a workplace or school and a church. We have been given a place to grow. We have light. Jesus is the Light of the World. We are called to let our light shine. We have water. Jesus is the Living Water. He said if we drink of this Living Water, we would never thirst again. And we have food. Jesus is called the Bread of Life. We also have everything needed to bloom.

  Well, it is never just that simple to "bloom where you are planted.." Sometimes I feel like I'm growing where I don't belong. I feel it is a struggle every day to survive. I get run over and stepped on and in a place that collects the castoffs and refuse of the world.

  Again, the still small voice came saying, "The wind and water carried the seed and placed it in that crack and its necessities were provided, and it will go to seed thereby reproducing itself. The Holy Spirit and Water of the Word of God can bring you to inhospitable surroundings, but it is there that you too will bring beauty, be more noticeable and reproduce yourself."

  Those dandelions were inspiring, yet they were just doing what they were created to do, grow, bloom and then cast seed. Isn't that our mission? To at least be in the center of God's will as well as a dandelion? I was humbled. Being quiet allowed me the time to see and listen. I get so busy that it takes a bolt of lightning to get my attention. God has to yell because I'm too distracted to hear the still small voice. This afternoon's exercise allowed creation to connect me to God and God spoke through a dandelion.

  "Heavenly father, the winds and the rain obey you and if they have moved me to an inhospitable place - like the dandelion - I will purpose to make it my home and mission field, one that brings glory to you and inspiration to those who aren't looking up. I will be who I was created to be wherever I am. I will be fruitful wherever I am. Keep me at the center of your will. Thank you for life in the cracks. Amen."